Corner construction



W. E. ROSE Oct. 28, 1958 CORNER CONSTRUCTION Filed June 6, 1955 United States Patent O CURNER CONSTRUCTION Walter E. Rose, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Container Supply and Research Co., Dundee, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 6, 1955, Serial No. 513,337 7 Claims. (Cl. 217-65) The present invention relates to a container and has special reference to a corner construction forming a part of said container.

More particularly, this invention relates to a shipping container of the knock-down type, comprising corner constructions, panels removably connected to said corner constructions forming the sides of the container, a top and a bottom or base. With the present corner construction the containers may be quickly and easilyV assembled. The corner construction determines theheight of the containers, but the other dimensions depend upon the size of the panels, top and base employed with the corner constructions. Thus, containers of various sizes and shapes may be formed from a single set of corner constructions through the use of diiferent sized panels,

i tops and bases.

The present containers are particularly suitable for packing and shipping bulky articles, such, for example, as major household appliances. If desired, they may be assembled about the article to be packed. After being assembled, the containers may be maintained in assembled position by metal straps, although other securing means, such as staples or nails, may be employed for this purpose.

The corners provide great strength, particularly longitudinally thereof, and the assembled containers protect their contents against the roughest type of treatment and handling. lf strapped or wire bound, the container may be easily taken apart to remove the article packed therein after the removal of the metal straps or wires, and theparts of the container can be used again to form a container or a diiferent article.

An object of the present invention is to provide a strong container which may be employed for shipping appliances and other bulky articles. A

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the knock-down type.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knockdown container which may be easily and quickly assembled and taken apart with a minimum of defacement of i the members comprisingthe container.

Still another object is to provide a knock-down container which may be assembled into a number of sizes and shapes from a relatively few parts.

An additional object is to provide a corner construction for a knock-down container having high strength.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and claims when considered with the accompanying drawings, in which:`

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a'container embodying the `present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of a corner of the container shown in Fig.` 1 taken on the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing a modified corner construction;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a forming tool for assembling and holding the corner construction shown in ice Fig. 2, with the various parts ofthe corner in the process of being assembled; and

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective View of the container skid base.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. l thereof a container embodying the present invention comprising corner constructions 11 with panels 12 arranged between the corner constructions and connected thereto, a top closure member 13 and a skid base 14. The top and base may be of any desired construction.

In the present container the corner constructions 11 and side panels 12 are preferably made of laminated fibrous material of the type described in Randall et al.

Patent No. 1,997,344, dated April 9, 1935. The composite material of this patent consists of an intermediate direction, and heavy kraft or other paper sheets adhesively secured to both sides of the layer of wood veneer, with the bers of the paper cover sheets running generally transversely of the grain of the layer of wood vencer. This laminated iibrous material may be readily bent without breaking. When this composite material is employed, it is arranged so that the'woodrgrain runs longitudinally of the corners. While laminated material of the type disclosed in Patent No. 1,997,344 is preferably employed, any other suitable material having the requisite strength and flexibility may be employed.

The corner constructions shown` in Figs.` 2, 3 and 4 are formed from strips of suitable material. `Corner constructions of the type illustrated in Fig. 2 consist of three layers. The outer layer 14 is preferably arcuate or rounded in cross section, the intermediate and inner portions 15 and 16, respectively, The inner layer 16 preferably consists of a substantially flat longitudinally extending central portion 17 with two side portions or wings 18 tudinally extending flat Wider than the central portion 17 of the inner member' 16, with wing members 21, narrower than the wing portions 18 of theinner member 16, an angle to the central portion 17;`

In forming a corner construction of the type shown n Fig. 2,`the intermediate member 4 are arranged in assembled position, the outer edges of the inner and outer members `extend outwardly beyond the edges of the` i:

The three wings 21 of the intermediate member 15. members are then secured together by any suitable means, such as staples `22, adjacent the outer edges of'the intermediate member 15. As shown in Fig. 1,` the staples 22 are preferably closer together near the -middle portion of the corner constructions. The thickness of the intermediate member 15` is preferably the same or slightly less than the thickness of the panels `12 to be used therewith. With this construction the edges of the inner and outer members outwardly of the intermediate grooves which converge toward member form slots or the outer edges thereof for receiving the panel edges therein. i

are nested therein. p

extending inwardly at an angle therefrom. The intermediatemember 15 has a longi-` central portion 19,` somewhat' extending inwardly at 15 and inner member 16 are preferably scored or creased and/or pressure bent, longitudinally to form the central portion 17 and wing` arranged in nested position in the outer mem- .i

Accord- While the corner constructions illustrated are right angle corners, the angularity of the sides of the corners may be varied dependent upon the shape of the completedcontainer. However, Vwith a right angle corner construction such as that illustrated, the two wing por'- t1'ons.18 `of the inner members 1'6 areat an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees, while the side portions 'of the outer curved member 14 are at an angle slightly less than 90 degrees. The amount of convergence of the slots formed at each side of the corner construction may be'increased'by increasing the width of the central por tion 19 of the intermediate member 15, by decreasing the width of the middle portion 17 of the inner member or by stapling closer to the outer edges of intermediate member 15. In any corner construction the angle between the wing, portions 18 of the inner member is greater than the angle between the edge portions of the outer member :14.

The corners may be. readily assembled through the use of a form or tool 23, such as illustrated in Fig. 4. This shaping form has a central raised portion 24 of the'intended shape of the inner strip 16. Upwardly extending sideportions 25 at opposite sides of the central raised portion 24 have merged slots 26 and 27 therein for receiving and holding in proper position the'edges of the inner and outer strips 16 and 14. As the intermediate strip is stapled to the inner strip 16, it is held in proper position between the inner and outer strips. Thereafter all three members are secured together by staples 22 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

It may frequently be desirable to provide an extra strong container. Many times heavy articles are packed in the containers which are then stacked vertically one on top of the other. It is then necessary to insure that thecOntainer will withstand large vertical compression.

This may be accomplished in the present container by providing the corner constructions with longitudinal inserts 28 preferably of substantially the same length as the length of the corner constructions in the space between the central arcuate portionof the outer member 1"'4 and the opposed substantially flat central portion 19 of the intermediate member 15. The inserts which may be made of wood with the grain running longitudinally thereof or of any other suitable material may be inserted duringfformation of the corner construction in a form such as shown in Fig'. 4, or after the corner construction, such as shown in Fig. 2, is formed. If the inserts 28 are not employed, it may beY desirable to insert short inserts of the same cross-sectional shape at the strapping points to' prevent crushing ofthe corners when the horizontalstraps are 'secured about the container.

Thebase of the container may be a suitable skid such, for example, as that shown in Figs. l and 5. This base skid consists of two main side members 32 and 33 upon which the skidrests connected together by cross `merribers V34 and 35adjacent the ends ofthe side members and, if desired, one or moreV intermediate transverse mem;

ber`s`j36 may also be employed. Longitudinally extendingy positioning members 37'and 38 are also mounted on the sidemembers 32 and 33 and abut the end transverse members 34 and 35. The outer periphery of the positioning members 37 and 38 and the end transverse members l34 and 35 lies inwardly of the ends and outer sides of the main suporting members 32 and 33 and forms afrarn-e vabout which the corner members 11 and panels 12 may iit While' resting'on the main supporting members 32 and 33.` The outer corners of the end cross members 34V and 35 are rni'tered so that nt thereover.

To form a container such as shown in Fig. l, two of the corner members or constructions 11 are rst connec-ted by inserting a panel 12 of desired size in the slots of theadjcent sides of thetv'v'o corner members. the converging `form of these slots, the panels will be gripped'the'r'e'in. n asimilar fashion, the additional corner constructions and panels are secured together. These the corner members 11 may Due to' initially may be arranged about the bottom skid or base member 31, on which the article to be packed is resting, or the sides and corners may be first assembled independently of the base and thereafter positioned about the base and finally the top closure member 13 secured thereon. To hold the container in assembled position, metal straps or wire may thereafter be secured horizontally and vertically about th'e container as desired. The length or height of the panels is preferably slightly less than the length of the corner constructions with which used.

The width of rthe panels employed is preferably such that the vertical edges of the article being packed, for example, a freezer, will abut the substantially nat central portions 17 of the corner constructions. In this manner the article will remain tightly in place with only the corners thereof engaging the portions 17 of the corner members or a protective padding thereover while the sides of the article will be somewhat spacedfrom the wings 18 and the panel members 12 intermediate .the

corners. However, if desired, the articlev may be spaced from the corners as well as the panels of the container.

The corner constructions provide great longitudinal strength for the container and not only may securely hold the arti-cle therein in proper position, but as the corners of the container are subjected to most of the rough treatment, they further protectthe article even without the inserts 28.V The arcuate body portion of the outer member 14, intermediate thesides of the nat central portion 19 of the intermediate member, will withstandV extreme force and heavy blow because of the shape of the members andthe fact that theouter member is spaced a substantial distance from the intermediate member. Also, due to this space there is litle likelihood of nails orV other sharp objects penetrating the corner and contacting the article packed therein.

The containers of the present invention can be veryY since many modifications may be made, and it is con templated, therefore, by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

l. VA corner construction for a container'having side v panels comprising a pair of longitudinally extending strips of stil resilient material concave in cross section arranged one within the other, spacing means securing said strips together at a distance from their longitudinal edges in spacedrelation forming a slot at each side outwardly of said securing means of a size to receive therein one edge of a panel, the inner of said strips having its longitudinal edge portions at a greater internal angle to each other than the angle between the longitudinal edge portions `of the outer of said strips to form outvvardly converging slots.

2. A corner construction for a container havingsid'e panels comprising a pair of longitudinally extending strips of stiff resilient material concave inV cross section arranged one within the other, spacing means positioned between 'said strips a distance inwardly from the longil tudinal edges thereof for holding said strips apart a distance to` receive therebetween an edge of a side panel, and securing means for securing said strips together a distance from their longitudinal edges,` the inner of' said strips having its longitudinal edge portions at a greater internal angle to each other than the angle between the longitudinal edge portions of the outer Vof said strips to form outwardly converging slots at each side of said strips outwardlyof said spacing means.

3. A corner construction for a container having side panels comprising outer, inner and intermediate longitudinally extending strips of stii resilient material, said outer strip being substantially arcuate in cross section, said inner strip having a substantially ilat central portion and wing portions at each side thereof at an angle thereto for litting within said outer strip, said intermediate strip being of substantially the same thickness as a side panel and having a substantially flat central portion slightly wider than the central portion of said inner strip with wing portions at each side thereof at an angle thereto, said intermediate strip being substantially narrower than the inner and outer strips and positioned therebetween, with its outer edges inwardly of the outer edges of said inner and outer strips, and securing means for securing said strips together adjacent the longitudinal edges of said intermediate strip with the outer edge portions of said inner and outer strips converging to form outwardly converging slots outwardly of said intermediate member.

4. A corner construction for a container having side panels comprising outer, inner and intermediate longitudinally extending strips of stiff resilient material, said outer strip being substantially arcuate in cross section, said inner strip having a substantially at central portion and wing portions at each side thereof at an angle thereto for fitting within said outer strip, said intermediate strip being of substantially the same thickness as a side panel and having a substantially at central portion slightly Wider than the central portion of said inner strip with wing portions at each side thereof atan angle thereto, said intermediate strip being substantially narrower than the inner and outer strips and positioned therebetween with said central portion contacting the central portion of the inner strip and the edges of the opposite side of said intermediate strip central portion engaging said outer strip, and securing means for securing said strips together adjacent the longitudinal edges of said intermediate strip with the outer edge portions of said inner and outer strips converging to form outwardly converging slots outwardly of said intermediate member.

5. A corner construction for a container having side panels comprising outer, inner and intermediate longitudinally extending strips of stiff resilient material, said outer strip being substantially arcuate in cross section, said inner strip having a substantially at central portion and wing portions at each side thereof atan angle thereto for fitting within said outer strip, said intermediate strip being of substantially the same thickness as a side panel and having a substantially flat central portion slightly wider than the central portion of said inner strip with wing portions at each side thereof at an angle thereto,

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said intermediate strip being substantially narrower than the inner and outer strips and positioned therebetween with said central portion contacting the central portion of the inner strip and the edges of the opposite side of said intermediate strip central portion engaging said outer strip, a longitudinally extending stit strong insert positioned and shaped to fit between the flat central portion of said intermediate strip and arcuate outer strip outwardly thereof, and securing means for securing said strips together adjacent the longitudinal edges of said intermediate strip with the outer edge portions of said inner and outer strips converging to form outwardly converging slots outwardly of said intermediate member.

6. A container comprising a plurality of corner constructions and panels therebetween and connected thereto, each of said corner constructions comprising a pair of longitudinally extending strips of stiff resilient material concave in cross section arranged one within the other, a spacing strip of substantially the same thickness as a panel positioned between said first mentioned strips and having its outer edges spaced a distance inwardly from the edges of said lirst mentioned strips, and securing means for securing together said tiret-mentioned strips and said spacing strip adjacent the edges of said spacing strip, the inner of said strips having its longitudinal edge portions at a greater internal angle to each other than the angle between the longitudinal edge portions of the outer of said strips to form a conevrging slot at each side of said strips outwardly of said spacing strip, and said panels having opposite sides of substantially the same length as the length of said corner constructions with said sides inserted'in the slots in adjacent corner constructions.

7. A container comprising a plurality of corner constructions and panels therebetween and connected thereto, each of said corner constructions comprising a pair of longitudinally extending strips of stili resilient material concave in cross section arranged one within the other, said strips being secured together at a distance from their longitudinal edges a distance apart substantially equal to the thickness of a panel forming a slot at each side outwardly of said securing means, the inner of said strips having its longitudinal edge portion at a greater internal angle to each other than the angle between the longitudinal edge portions of the outer of said strips to form outwardly converging slots, and said panels having opposite" sides of substantially the same length as the length of said corner constructions with said sides inserted in the slots in adjacent corner constructions.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

